The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-24
MINOR MATTERS.

An Absent-Minded Old Gentleman Who Once
Was Secretary Of War.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, April 22--sHere give me my
umbrella" exclaimed General Belknap, after
writing q card at the Office Of tbs Ebbitt House
the other evening. and addressing . friend stand
ing beside him.
II haven't got your umbrella replied the
friend.
ST gave it to you but second since. to hold
while wrote my name Come, fork il over,
the robust old soldier continued; and then be be-
gan walking around, looking for it Two or
three gentlemen overheard the conversation and
were drawn up in amusement Finally one
smiled. and observed:
what have you under yoar arm. Generalln
General Belknap stopped, pulled from under
his arm his umbrella, and observed. IN nus
trated manner:
..Aeain A few days ago went with aon-
tleman friend into a cafe for lunch. paid the
bill, bought cigars. and when we began smoking
l told my friend to give me my purse. was
positive had handed 1t to him, or laid it down
and he had picked it up. although he declared he
for the purse. discovered 1t In my hand"
General Belknap, who, it will be remembered.
was President Grants Secretary OF War. and
was impeached on charse Of onice-broking.
more or less for six years He practices Law.
lives quietly but comfortably, and is one Of the
most popular men at the capital Bis friends
are rs extensive as his acquairtancss. He dresses
fanltlessly. is large and hAndscme, with full
short beard that was once light red. but now hals
gray, and is generous TO fat13fn - ~ HIoYas
speaks i'll Of any one, "a feninl -
nn entertainsnS eaEyarssEs9.sssAs
say he Will aotas CAV % saFnpasfAiy VanaieAted
How Autographs .krs 1btasaed
Special to The rs.o 4narc.;s searn&1-
WAsHING@a.', April 2s - Ass. . sTs.ss aanT
letters are written 70 sas Psasiisus for nc e.sss
real object thaa 70 Get his autograph snalsass
his style of coupssilser, ss:a Whits alsase
clerk. ''Hegs is pale Of lettars g,se -.
significance to olscia business; yet each requires
an answer They came from remote parts OF
the country, in many instances. Most ara from
the out-of- they way precincts presume there
are thousands OF families in different parts Of
the country who have letters in their possession
from Presidents of the United States They
wrote the Presidents for the sole purpose OF
procuring letter in reply"
do you often ind postage inclosed from these
autograph-letter fiencs"
about one in ten inclose . stamp. But the
stamps are not so burdensoms as tho CORE
spondence. 1t is the exxmination Of letters that
takes the trouble But few ct them are ever
seen by the President, and thoss> who think they
getting his inspiration in the~ answers are
badly mistaken Tho clerks open >&h4 letfersh1
write answers to those not requirng the Prs
dents attention, and he af6xes his niguatur(
without having the least idea Of the contents of
either the letter of inquiry or the answer. True,
the President sends out his autograph, but thas
is ALL"
The Cabinet officers. wsitknovn Senator's,
and sometimes prominent faemhsts eft the
House of Representatives ger tfs1neAt Aeitsra
from st-an gers, not inquiring fos a.rssrnrh
but some matter which will require Al ansrfsys
and the sole object is to got kitograph isster.
1t is very seldom tha. any Of snesn wg5sa shs
answer. A secretary does 1t, t1a oniy tAe gsasu.
graph name goes to the inquisiSl ali aIasaTt es'
of the public mans tranquility.